(With apologies to Matthew 7:22)
We've heard about the ban imposed on 'wanted' posters by one UK police force because they could infringe the privacy of escaped murderers (later denied as the grounds for the decision). Despite the uproar and derision which greeted that story, another UK police force has stepped up ready to apply the Data Protection Act without fear or favour.
The Norwich Evening News website reported the other day that Norfolk Police have declined to release names or pictures of a dozen "Category A" fugitives (the most dangerous kind) who have jumped bail. Once again, this is on the ground that to do so would infringe "data protection law".
Now we can all have a good - if slightly nervous - laugh at this, but what does it say about the legislative climate in this country when ostensibly intelligent people like senior police officers - and their legal advisors - are prepared to believe that serious legislation can and should be taken to operate in this way ? Is nothing beyond belief - has the absurd now become credible where the law is concerned ?
All too often nowadays, our police are expected to behave as the uniformed branch of social services. Are they now embracing that role, or just striving to comply with an insolubly self-contradictory remit ?
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